SHEARERS' CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1711, 31 March 1913, Page 6

SHEARERS' CONFERENCE.

♦ .- FRIDAY'S BUSINESS. The Shearers' Conference continued deliberations. at the 'l'owil Hall on Friday morning. Tho official, report supplied by the conference secretary states:— The following: letter was received from the secretary of the Sheepowners' Federation in reply to telegram sent previously; "Referring to your telegram of tho 25th inst., I beg to inform you that I plae-ed tho same before tho president,'who states that he feels sure tho federation executive will bo pleased to meet your executive in conference. At the same time tho president wishes mo to -inform you that the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union lias recommended our federation cxecutivo to renew the present award for a further period of three years. If your executive is agreeable, to this, it will not be nece's'sary to hold a conference. I should- ho obliged if you could give mo an early reply."

Messrs. Brightwell, Finnigan, and M'Lenn wero welcomed as visitors to conference. i Committees were set up for tho drafting of rules and of demands. The remainder of the session was occupied with the discussion of shearing rates and conditions of work. SATURDAY'S BUSINESS. The conference continued its sitting in tho Town Jlall on Saturday morning. Tho official report supplied states:— „ Tho motion re setting up committees was rescinded. Various remits re penning and catching wero considered by tho conference, anil it was resolved, on tho motion of Mr. 'Townsend, seconded by Mr. KeiV, that Rule 100 bo enforced, viz.: ''Any shearer catching a sheep or bringing one on the board alter the signal to ceaso work, shall bo fined ope pound."

In regard to ringing up of sheds during the actual-operation-'of shearing, it was resolved that it be an instruction to all shearers that the shed representative bo rung up in every particular shed, and' ~that the sheep owner is not rung up, during the time of shearing in that particular shed, and that this rule bo strictly enforced, as in Australia. , It was resolved that ' the distance between stands should be not less than.Sit. Cin. In regard to .the engagement of stands uiul doposit of ticket in lieu of pound, it was unanimously resolved that it be left in the,hands of tho secretary to see that a numbered deposit slip be attached to tho ticket, to be used by members in lieu of one pound, when engaging pens, and that all non-members pay ono pound deposit. ■ In regard to tlie printing of rules, it was resolved that the association'hold tho printing of rules in abeyanoc until after the question of the amalgamation with the A.W.U. had been settled, but that the policy rules of the association bo printed along with the report of the pre<>ent conference, and sent out to members for their guidance. It was resolved that every effort bo made to bring all rural .workers within the bounds of one Dominion organisation. The resolution to this .effect .passed at last conference was endorsed, but as tho new name of "Tho'New Zealand Shearers' and Pastoral Workers' Association," then agreed upon, liad not been registered, owing to tho non-completion of the rules, it was resolved that in the meantime the name of tho association remain as at present registered, viz., "The New Zealand Shearers' and . .Woolshed .Employees' Industrial Association oi Workers." ,

In regard to tho supply of shears to locsl agents, it was resolved that tho price of shears, combs, and cutters remain as at present, and that tlie question of disposing of shears be left in tho secretary's hands, on condition that tho association was indemnified by tlie secretary against loss on same. Mr. Laracy (secretary) pointed out that'this resolution would meet tho suggestion of tho supply of shears to local agents for local tale, because as secretary no would certainly not refuse to send shears to local-, accredited agcnts\ of the union for local eale. ' ~ The question of hours of work was discussed at length in committee. In regard to lost time, it was resolved that in the case of stoppage of machinery at any shed through breakage, or in the case where tho shearer is .rendered idle, cither owing to the employer or his agent failing to start shearing on the date of advice, or to liis, failure to keep up tho supply of sheep, the employer or his agent shall pay tho shearers at tho rate of Is. 3d. per hour for all such time lost. The conference decided in regard to the question of a shearer leaving a shed on giving a week's notice, that no shearer lie allowed to leave tho shed, at his own wish, without the consent of tlio majority of tho shearers, except in case of accident, illness, or urgent necessity. It was resolved that grindstones should be not less than ISin. in diameter,, and one grindstone be provided to every six shearers or part of six, and that a clock bo placed in a conspicuous place in the shearing shed, to be kept in proper order. The question of learners was then discussed, tho debato being adjourned till to-day.

Arrangements were made for tlie deputation to wail 011 Mr. Massey to-day. During tho day Mr. D. M'Laren (Mayor) visited the conference, and was accorded n hearty welcome. Mr. M'Laren suitably responded. . Mr. O'Eegan; tho association's solicitor, was also a visitor, and gave a slnjrt address on the trend of the labour movement generally in New Zealand. A vote of thanks was carried to Mr. O'Regan with acclamation. At. 5.30 "p.m. the conference -adjourned till 9 .a.m. to-day. " \